buttoned-up demeanor

8.2

A reserved, formal way of behaving that hides feelings

noun
/ˈbʌtənd ʌp dɪˈmiːnər/

Formal

: actitud reservada

Despite her buttoned-up demeanor, she laughed easily among close friends.

Examples

In interviews, the CEO maintains a buttoned-up demeanor that commands respect.
His buttoned-up demeanor made it difficult for colleagues to get to know him.
Her buttoned-up demeanor made it hard to know what she was thinking.
He always presents a buttoned-up demeanor in meetings.
In formal settings, his buttoned-up demeanor projects professionalism and authority.
Her buttoned-up demeanor often hides her true feelings from others.
Even in casual gatherings, he tends to adopt a buttoned-up demeanor that feels distant.

Synonyms

wooden demeanor

vsbuttoned-up demeanor

7.6

A stiff, awkward way of acting without showing emotion

is more controlled and formal rather than awkward or stiff

Antonyms

expressive

41 3.4

Showing feelings and ideas clearly in the face or voice

How Reserved

closemouthed

1 7.5

buttoned-up demeanor

Formal

8.2

reservedness

7.4

informality

4 4.9

openhearted

1 4.1

Surface Forms

buttoned-up demeanor singular

buttoned-up demeanors plural

Morphology

buttoned-up + demeanor

The phrase combines an adjective 'buttoned-up' (meaning formal, reserved) with 'demeanor' (a person's behavior), so the overall sense of a restrained, formally presented manner is directly derivable from the parts. This adjective+noun composition and the clothing-as-reserve metaphor are common and likely transparent to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Buttoned-up demeanor comes from the picture of someone with their coat or shirt fully fastened: buttoned-up means closed and neat, and demeanor means the way a person acts. That's why it is used for someone who seems 'reserved', 'formal', or who 'keeps their feelings inside'.